High School Attire and Grooming Regulations

Incarnate Word Academy maintains a code of dress and grooming consistent with its character as a private, Catholic, college-preparatory school. This code contributes to a seriousness of purpose, a constructive learning atmosphere, and the development of sound personal habits and a positive self-image. To teach the total child, teachers and administrators will instruct students with regards to proper and acceptable dressing and grooming habits. This is to include stressing neatness, cleanliness, acceptability, and appropriateness. Students should be dressed in such a manner that instruction is enhanced and not hindered. Neatness, cleanliness, and appropriateness are to be the guiding factors. The entire staff will enforce the dress code.

Ladies

• Solid colored polo shirts (collared/no capped sleeves) with the Incarnate Word Academy logo
• Solid colored twill fabric skirts, slacks, capri’s or shorts
• Colors should be khaki (dark or light), tan, navy blue or black
• No undergarments should be visible
• Skirts and shorts may not be shorter than two (2) inches above the knee
• Shirts shall be tucked in at all times and be able to stay tucked in
• The midriff must be covered when the arms are raised above the head. Low cut necklines are not permitted
• Hairstyles are to be neat and well groomed

Gentlemen

• Solid colored polo shirts (collared/no capped sleeves) with the Incarnate Word Academy logo
• Solid colored twill fabric slacks or shorts
• Colors should be khaki (dark or light), tan, navy blue or black
• Shirts shall be tucked in at all times and be able to stay tucked in
• Midriff must be covered when the arms are raised above the head
• Hair shall be neat and well groomed. Extreme hairstyles such as Mohawk, mustache, small pony tails or pigtails are not permitted. Hair shall not extend beyond the following limits:
  • Front-not to touch the eyebrow
  • Side-to bottom of ear
  • Back-top of shirt
• Students shall be clean-shaven; sideburns are not to extend below the bottom of the ear. A $3.00 fee will be implemented for shaving cream and a razor
• Earrings are not permitted

Ladies and Gentlemen

• Unusually extreme fads in jewelry and makeup are not permitted
• Slacks, capri’s, shorts, skirts can be pleated or flat front and appropriately fastened at the waist
• A belt is required for pants, shorts, capri’s, or skirts with belt loops
• No jeans any style or color are to be worn Monday-Thursday
• Sweaters and sweatshirts:
  • Solid color only with no logos
  • No hooded sweatshirts allowed 
  • Exception: IWA Booster Club sweatshirts with logos and/or hoods are allowed
• Students must store outerwear (coats, hats, gloves, sunglasses, scarves, etc.) in their lockers upon arrival at school
• Skirts/pants/shorts are to be worn around the natural waist
• The width of the pant bottom may not be more than ten inches
• Low-rise and/or cargo type shorts/pants/skirts are not permitted
• Visible tattoos and body piercing are not permitted
• Tattered, frayed and sagging clothing is not appropriate
• Wind pants, sweatpants and warm ups are reserved for use in athletics
• Fabric must be appropriate and not made of Lycra, Spandex, Nylon, etc…
• Shrugs, crop sweaters and jackets, and form-fitting clothing are not to be worn
• Trench coats/overcoats are not to be worn
• All clothing shall be appropriately sized: (i.e. not tight, too short or too baggy)
• Non-natural hair colors are not allowed

No student shall wear any garment which includes, but is not limited to, any item that depicts the occult, gang membership, death, suicide, violence, gambling, beer, sexual connotations, tobacco, drugs or alcohol. This includes belts, jackets, buttons, or trademark emblems generally associated with the above.

The above is a guideline for students to follow. All possibilities for attire and grooming cannot be covered. Therefore, we encourage students to use good judgment in selecting school attire.
The final word in attire and grooming is left to judgment of the principal.

Logos/Mira
The Incarnate Word Academy logo will be mandatory.  Brand logos will not be permitted.  Mira’s Sports and More is our official logo and uniform shirt supplier.  Any other polo shirt must be approved by Mr. Torres, the principal.  If approval is granted, a formal request will be personalized and issued at that time.  Mira’s will not place our logo on any other shirt unless proper approval and documentation is issued to them.

Footwear
Students shall wear appropriate footwear for protection and hygienic reasons while on school grounds, participating in school activities, or on school transportation.  House slippers and shower shoes are examples of unacceptable footwear.

Friday Spirit Day Dress and Blue Jean Pass Days
On Spirit Days, blue jeans are only allowed with any IWA shirt. Students may wear their club shirt, Mission Shirt, Witness Shirt, or Sports shirts on the designated spirit day (Fridays). No PE/Athletic period shirt is allowed.  Jeans can not have any logos, designs, holes, rips and must be full length and appropriately fastened at the waist.  Jean skirts, capri’s or shorts are not permitted.
Blue Jean Passes require a small contribution which allows a student the privilege of wearing blue jeans with any school polo or IWA sponsored club shirt. On Blue Jean pass days, students must purchase and display the official pass.

Interpretation of Appropriateness
Extracurricular & Co-Curricular Activities
The principal, athletic director, sponsor, coach or other person in charge of an extracurricular/co-curricular activity shall be authorized to appraise and regulate any fashion, fad, or article of clothing to determine its appropriateness for school wear and extracurricular/co-curricular activities.

Consequences
Students shall be in compliance with the dress code prior to arrival at school.  For any dress code violation a student will be sent to the office, parent/guardian will be notified and will have to bring their student the appropriate clothing.  No student will be allowed to leave campus to go change.  No student will be allowed to return to class until he or she is in compliance with dress code.  In order to avoid unexcused missed class time; students will be provided a change of clothes until parents can provide students with appropriate change of clothes.

A school class roster will be kept at the counter to record and monitor dress code/grooming infractions.  Third infraction of a particular dress code violation will result in disciplinary action taken by principal.